Hajjar: Three Candidates Submitted, Ministry Ready to Conduct Elections
2/16/2026 4:08:00 PM
Interior Minister Ahmad Hajjar said, upon arriving at the Cabinet session, that he had forwarded the response of the Legislation and Consultation Authority regarding the elections to the Cabinet’s General Secretariat for appropriate action. He added that he does not know whether the matter will be raised during today’s session from outside the agenda.
Hajjar stressed that “political division is one thing, and the implementation of the law is another,” explaining that although the Authority’s opinion is non-binding, Article 14 of the law regulating the Ministry of Justice stipulates that any decision to go against its opinion must be issued through a reasoned decision communicated to the Justice Ministry.
He affirmed that all steps taken so far fall within the framework of completing the necessary legal procedures to hold the elections on time and safeguard expatriates’ voting rights.
The minister said the Interior Ministry is working “like a beehive,” revealing that three candidates have so far submitted their nominations: Nabih Berri, Qabalan Qabalan, and Fadi Khawaja. He confirmed that the ministry is fully prepared to conduct the elections as scheduled under the current law, adding that any potential amendment must be issued either by Parliament or collectively by the Cabinet.
He noted that the government has previously made clear it cannot implement District 16, as stated when it submitted its draft law.
Responding to claims of political motives behind the Authority’s opinion, Hajjar said: “This is not my concern. I am the Interior Minister, and I am doing everything necessary to keep the work moving,” adding that while the ministry seeks consensus and aims to avoid complications, “the law must be applied.”
Hajjar stressed that “political division is one thing, and the implementation of the law is another,” explaining that although the Authority’s opinion is non-binding, Article 14 of the law regulating the Ministry of Justice stipulates that any decision to go against its opinion must be issued through a reasoned decision communicated to the Justice Ministry.
He affirmed that all steps taken so far fall within the framework of completing the necessary legal procedures to hold the elections on time and safeguard expatriates’ voting rights.
The minister said the Interior Ministry is working “like a beehive,” revealing that three candidates have so far submitted their nominations: Nabih Berri, Qabalan Qabalan, and Fadi Khawaja. He confirmed that the ministry is fully prepared to conduct the elections as scheduled under the current law, adding that any potential amendment must be issued either by Parliament or collectively by the Cabinet.
He noted that the government has previously made clear it cannot implement District 16, as stated when it submitted its draft law.
Responding to claims of political motives behind the Authority’s opinion, Hajjar said: “This is not my concern. I am the Interior Minister, and I am doing everything necessary to keep the work moving,” adding that while the ministry seeks consensus and aims to avoid complications, “the law must be applied.”